Prevention is better than cure – as it has been said, prevention and exposure to vulnerabilities is one of the most critical aspects of poultry management. In the current scenario, a large number of birds are reared in individual farms calling for severe measures to control the spread of outbreaks and diseases.

Bio-security

Prevention is better than cure – as it has been said, prevention and exposure to vulnerabilities is one of the most critical aspects of poultry management. In the current scenario, a large number of birds are reared in individual farms calling for severe measures to control the spread of outbreaks and diseases.

Infectious agents can enter the farm in many possible ways and result in widespread diseases. An efficient bio-security program is necessary to curb diseases in a timely manner and prevent your farm from being affected. In addition, bio-security programs also help you achieve maximum returns on your efforts and investments. You will experience this in the form of enhanced livability, growth rate and feed conversion efficiency by keeping the birds healthy throughout the lifecycle.

Diseases can enter right from recently acquired birds from outside flocks, infected eggs, dust and manure from equipments and supply vehicles, improper disposal of carcasses, water impurities and importantly human feet, hands and clothes among many other factors. Hence, everyone in your farm – whether directly or indirectly involved - needs to diligently follow bio-security measures for the overall health of your farm.

When you are with Suguna, you will receive expert assistance in setting up bio-security programs. Suguna’s experts will help you design and deploy bio-security programs in 3 stages:

Shed Management

Shed management ensures the birds get proper care and facility to support development and performance. Good housekeeping and day-to-day sanitation practices improve and help maintain the overall health of complete flocks.

Isolation of flock and restriction of workers movement is very essential to maintaining the sanctity of the farm. Ensure there is a clearly demarcated area for flocks belonging to different age groups. This level of hygienic maintenance should be applied at a day-to-day level thereby reducing spreading of diseases and controlling of mortality rates. In the event farm supervisors and managers are required to move between sheds, you are recommended to guide them to visit flocks in the ascending order of age and follow the cleansing process duly. In the event of an outbreak, restrict total movement of visitors and workers in to the affected sheds. For crisis management, call on your Suguna representative who in turn will guide you.

Each time you are bringing in a new flock, ensure the shed is thoroughly cleaned as per recommended guidelines. While cleaning the shed, ensure that the equipment are disinfected and also remove the old litter from the premises. In addition, make arrangements to sell out the manure before the previous stock is moved or culled.

Storage places for feed and medicines need to be cleaned regularly. Feed should always be stored in a cool and dry place. Vaccines and medicines need to be stored as per the manufacturer’s recommendations. For a healthy farm, periodic pest control programs need to be enforced.

Do not encourage movement of visitors and vehicles in the farm unless extremely necessary. If visitors and vehicles are entering the farm, restrict entry only after they go through the cleansing and disinfectant process.

Lastly, as a sign of a healthy farm, prominently display sign boards at the entrance of the farm to read – “Our disease prevention program restricts entry only to employees. Your cooperation is appreciated”.

Layer Management

Better management results in better productivity! You could be an experienced farmer or new to the poultry industry, effective poultry management is essential for the overall development and health of the bird. Suguna and its team of experts will help you throughout the relationship by providing valuable guidance and management tips.

While you are considering joining our successful family of poultry farmers, we encourage you to read through some basics of Layer management.

Pullet Management

Effective pullet management focuses on good skeletal muscular development, better and healthy immune producing organs. The first three weeks are very crucial in the layer chicken’s life. The space available to chicks plays a major role in the pullet’s growth. Pullet’s overall growth and development are dependent on proper feed and diet programs. Achieving weekly standard weight gain is important in layer performance, monitor and grade the pullets from day one.

Prevention is better than cure-So vaccinate your pullets based on your farm and areas disease load. Our technical team will support you to decide the vaccination schedule. Give more emphasis on debeaking. Follow the guideline for correct temperature Suguna advises all customers to use automatic voltage control. Debeak the chicks 9 to 11 days of its life. If necessary do it again on or before the 11th week.

You can gain more knowledge and step-by-step guidance from Suguna’s team of experts.

Feed Management

In the poultry industry, it is a well established fact that the quality of feed intake directly impacts the outcome of the product. With Suguna and Lohmann layers, feed intake capacity is genetically well established. However, it is essential that due care is taken while monitoring feed to the birds throughout its lifecycle.

The chickens energy requirements through feed is determined by factors such as body weight, production rate, egg size, temperature, air movement and feathering. Essential nutrient and mineral supply through feed management defines the overall productivity of the bird. Feed types vary at different stages of the bird’s lifecycle. Suguna’s experts will guide you throughout and help you administer the right feed types throughout the process.

Water Management

Facts indicate that 60% - 70% of the bird and 70% of the egg are made up of water. Hence, water becomes an absolutely essential element for the overall development. As birds don’t have inbuilt storage mechanisms, it becomes necessary to provide them water regularly. Water consumption in birds vary depending on weather conditions, feed consumption, mineral levels in feed and importantly the type of housing – floor or cage.

Since water plays a key role in the lifecycle and general well being of the bird, a good water management program is critical. Good quality water should always be sufficient and available in continuous supply. Effective water management ensures no microbiological or chemical contamination is found along with keeping the water cooler than environmental temperature.

For worry free layer farming, Suguna recommends you to test water samples as described below:

Test for Microbiological contaminations at least once every month

Test for Chemical contaminations at least once a year from every borewell

Regularly disinfect water provided to the chicken

Check if the water source is adequately disinfected or if sanitizer used is present in excess levels

Plan out a detailed action plan with Suguna’s experts after receiving the analysis / reports

Lighting Management

Birds are more sensitive to light compared to humans. Hence, effective Lighting Management is essential in poultry management. Lighting can influence the onset of lay, early egg size and the total number of eggs produced. Lighting varies from differing environments including both open and brown houses. With Suguna, you can benefit from our vast experience in poultry management. Suguna’s experts provide you few insights and basic tips on lighting management.

Care should be taken to maintain light intensity at the same levels or even higher during the last weeks of rearing